Oncology (limited)
Treating cancer in our loved ones:
Cancer has become one of the top reasons nowadays veterinarians see their four legged patients. At Pasadena Pets Hospital, we are proud to offer some limited oncology services and bring the latest and cutting edge medicine to our clients. While these services normally are performed at the specialist office, we are an approved site and provide another alternative, being conscious of cost and convenience to our clients.
What about pain and pain control?
We at Pasadena Pets Veterinary Hospital take pain control very seriously. We want to make sure that every pet under our care will be as comfortable as possible. To that extent, we provide our patients with pre-medications that contain powerful pain control substances before the surgery is initiated. We also provide pain control medications after the actual surgery.
ONCEPT® Canine Melanoma Vaccination
What is ONCEPT® Canine Melanoma Vaccine?
The ONCEPT vaccine treats patients that have melanoma. Canine melanoma happens to be one of the most common malignant tumor found in the mouth. It also is seen on the skin, in the nail bed, foot-pad and is the eye.
Promising new immunotherapy technology has led to the first DNA-based vaccine for cancer in either animals or humans. An innovative canine melanoma vaccine called ONCEPT is now available for dogs like yours. ONCEPT has been used in dogs with stage II or stage III canine oral melanoma to support surgery and/or radiation therapy and prolong survival time.
A DNA-based vaccine uses information found in DNA to help the dog’s immune system recognize a specific protein found on cells that may normally be ignored, such as melanoma tumor cells.
How does ONCEPT® Canine Melanoma Vaccine Work?
The technology behind ONCEPT Canine Melanoma Vaccine, DNA is very complicated. Conventional vaccines (for other common diseases) stimulate an immune response directed against foreign proteins. Tyrosinase, a protein present on canine melanoma cells, is not usually targeted by the dog’s immune system because it also is present on normal canine cells.
ONCEPT trains the dog’s immune system to recognize this cancer-associated protein as a threat to it’s health.
What to expect / what is the process that is involved?
Vaccination involves an initial four-dose series, once every two weeks, using a needle-free transdermal device. After this initial series, your dog will receive one booster vaccine every six months. There are no known contraindications for ONCEPT in dogs with oral melanoma.
Stelfonta Mast Cell Tumor Treatment
About Mass Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumors are the most common cutaneous tumors in dogs. Mast Cell Tumors (MCTs) are a cancer of mast cells. Mast cells arise in the bone marrow, travelling to sites to mediate an inflammatory response by releasing granules of histamine and heparin. It is not known exactly why mast cells form MCTs, but it happens often enough for this to be the most common form of cutaneous cancer in dogs.
Primarily a disease of older dogs5
Up to 2 out of 10 cutaneous cancers are MCTs15
The age when incidence of MCTs is highest – although they can develop at any age6
Breeds that are more likely to develop MCTs than others:
- Shar-Peis
- Boxers
- American Staffordshire Terriers
- Labrador Retrievers
- French Bulldogs
- Golden Retrievers
Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following changes in your dog:
Excessive pain or lameness (limping)
Tiredness or refusal to eat for more than 1 day
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Trouble breathing
Changes to the treated tumor site, increased or excessive swelling, bruising, extensive wound formation, or increased irritation
Any other symptoms that your dog may show that concern you.
STELFONTA®: An innovative and effective treatment for Mast Cell Tumors in dogs
What is Stelfonta (tigilanol tiglate injection) & How it works
Stelfonta is injected directly into the MCT(intertumoral injection). Stelfonta works by activating a protein that spreads throughout the treated tumor, which disintegrates tumor cells.
See STELFONTA® start to work within hours,1 with tumors typically destroyed by Day 7
Second intention healing2 with more than half of tumor sites fully healed by Day 28
